Content Delivery Network Authentication via Virtual File System Redirection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Satellite television systems face challenges in efficiently providing content to users while managing resource usage and ensuring revenue generation, as broadcasting a large selection of channels and pay-per-view programs consumes significant satellite resources and requires effective access management.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that enables a user device to communicate with a content delivery network, involving generating requests, authenticating responses, and redirecting content file requests to optimize content delivery, allowing for secure and efficient access to content files.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If satellite television systems broadcast a large selection of channels and pay-per-view programs to multiple users simultaneously, then content availability and user access are improved, but satellite resource consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments content delivery by creating virtual file systems and partitions on user devices that mirror the satellite's content structure. This allows content to be distributed and cached locally across multiple devices, reducing the need for continuous satellite broadcasting of the same content to all users simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-authenticating user devices and pre-configuring virtual file systems before content requests are made. User devices are pre-loaded with authentication credentials and directory structures, enabling faster content access without requiring repeated satellite communications for authentication and navigation.
2Productivity
If user devices communicate directly with the content delivery network, then access efficiency is improved, but security risks increase due to potential unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication mechanism where user devices present authentication credentials to the content delivery network through a structured request process. The system uses virtual file system paths and authentication tokens as intermediaries to verify user authorization before granting content access, balancing direct communication efficiency with security requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where the content delivery network responds to user device requests with authentication verification and access control decisions. Redirect responses provide feedback about content location and access status, allowing user devices to adjust their requests while maintaining secure authentication throughout the interaction process.
3Reliability
If the system implements authentication and redirection protocols for content requests, then content security and proper resource routing are improved, but communication overhead and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
Authentication credentials and virtual file system structures are pre-configured on user devices before content requests are made. This preliminary setup reduces the need for repeated authentication handshakes and directory navigation requests during actual content access, minimizing communication overhead while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
User devices autonomously manage their own authentication credentials and virtual file system configurations without requiring constant satellite intervention. The devices self-verify their authorization status and self-navigate the content structure using pre-loaded information, reducing the processing burden on the satellite system and minimizing communication delays.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for communicating between a content delivery network and a user device includes the user device generating a first request for a content file at a user device and communicating the request to the content delivery network. The content delivery network authenticates the first request, generates a redirection response and communicates the redirection response to the user device. The user device authenticates the redirection response, generates a second request for a content file in response to the redirection request and communicates the second request from the user device. The content delivery network communicates the content file from the content delivery network in response to the second request.